If you’re looking to buy a high-end soundbar there are plenty of options available from manufacturers old and new. But if you’d specifically like to replicate ‘proper’ surround sound from just one bar (and a subwoofer!), then the options are a little less abundant. Whilst most manufacturers of these top-of-the-range soundbars can offer fantastic stereo sound and a pretty wide front soundstage, very few can offer the full room-filling experience that a 5.1 or more system can offer.
Arguably the greatest of this small pool of companies trying to bend the laws of physics is Yamaha, and with the YSP-2700, they’re looking to further cement their place at the top of the pile. A follow-up to the multi-award winning YSP-2500, the 2700 builds on the impressive technology found in its predecessor, adding a few tweaks along the way to separate it as one of the best products of its kind. Straight out of the box it’s obvious that the 2700 has taken a few design cues from its older sibling, with its low-slung profile and minimalist aesthetic taken one step further for this iteration. Gone is the gloss panelling that sat either side of the front grille, replaced by a more stylish full length grille. This relegates the microphone input (of which more later) and 3.5mm input to the rear of the unit, keeping things looking very tidy indeed. The basic control buttons now line up along the top of the cabinet, but right at the back, making these too look neat and stylish. A more substantial wireless subwoofer rounds out these design changes, with the new one boxier, but more powerful, than the older model. All told, Yamaha have definitely done a great job in keeping the YSP-2700 looking like a premium product, and it’s right up there in the style stakes for this type of product.
Straight out of the box it’s obvious that the 2700 has taken a few design cues from its older sibling, with its low-slung profile and minimalist aesthetic taken one step further for this iteration. Gone is the gloss panelling that sat either side of the front grille, replaced by a more stylish full length grille. This relegates the microphone input (of which more later) and 3.5mm input to the rear of the unit, keeping things looking very tidy indeed. The basic control buttons now line up along the top of the cabinet, but right at the back, making these look neat and stylish as well. A more substantial wireless subwoofer rounds out these design changes, with the new one boxier, but more powerful, than the older model. All told, Yamaha have definitely done a great job in keeping the YSP-2700 looking like a premium product, and it’s right up there in the style stakes for this type of product.
“Yamaha raises the bar to new heights this is an amazingly talented soundbar delivering captivating sound.” What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision magazine
Obviously the real work has gone on under the bonnet, with Yamaha improving their ‘IntelliBeam’ system – the technology that makes the YSP-2700 work. Utilising 16 small speakers, the IntelliBeam system uses a small microphone during initial setup to calibrate itself to the room, allowing it to bounce the sound from these speakers off side walls, rear walls and the ceiling. This technology is still fairly new, and each upgrade adds worthwhile improvements, which is certainly the case here. Soundtracks up to 7.1 are playable, and 10 cinema sound processing modes are also featured, letting the user tailor the sound to their own tastes and environment even further.
Elsewhere, the Yamaha can still support Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD through its HDMI sockets, but these inputs have now been upgraded to support 4K, with HDCP 2.2 on all three inputs and one output. Bluetooth Apt-X and Airplay have support, too, as well as connectivity for a host of music streaming services, including Spotify, Napster and Qobuz. Hi-Res music gets to share in the love, too, with the Yamaha now supporting playback of files up to 24-bit / 192kHz. Yamaha’s own MusicCast controller helps tie all these things in together.
Speaking of MusicCast, Yamaha’s take on wireless multi-room audio makes a showing here. When other products in Yamaha’s range also offer MusicCast, they can all be paired together, meaning playing music across the whole house is easy and pain-free.
Once we’d set the Yamaha up in our demonstration room, we were ready to go. The calibration takes about 5 minutes to complete, and is definitely necessary in order to hear the YSP-2700 at its best. Our listening room measures roughly 5 x 4m, and the Yamaha was firing down the length of the room. Larger or odd-shaped rooms will still be catered for by the calibration process, but it’s certainly worth checking over your own requirements at your local Richer Sounds store.
The cinematic trailer for 2015 smash hit, Mad Max was up first, specifically to put the YSP-2700 under pressure from the off. With a tall and wide soundstage kicking things off, Max faces out over the Australian desert, with only the voices in his head for company. These voices come from all angles, and a ‘proper’ surround system makes it sound fantastic. The Yamaha, very spookily, did exactly the same. Sound appeared to come from much higher and much wider than the bar’s cabinet, and the effect really had us checking whether we’d accidentally left the store’s Atmos system on. We hadn’t. As things progress, a car chase ensues, the full 5.1 of the trailer being utilised now. The Yamaha duly obliged, not wanting us to miss out on any of the action. Noises popped into life behind our backs, causing a double take, leaving us looking for the hidden speakers behind our backs. The YSP-2500 had done a great job at this, too, but this was definitely taken up a notch with this newer incumbent.
The Yamaha YSP2700 features a built-in Bluetooth receiver
Music fared well, with the switch to stereo mode showing the Yamaha to be a keen rhythmic performer. The sub’s integration with the soundbar was very good, eliminating any perception of the bass coming from a separate part of the room. This year’s model had more kick, and was seemingly tauter, too, giving Radiohead’s ‘Ful Stop’, from their latest album, a real sense of drive. Vocals were clear and easy to follow, everything very balanced, with no over-emphasis on certain parts of the frequency range.
By its nature, the Yamaha YSP-2700’s performance will be subjective. If your room is just too big or a very odd shape, then the results may differ slightly to ours. But for the vast majority of people, Yamaha’s incredible technology can get the full surround experience in the home without all the wires and speakers that go with such a setup. In all of its various modes, the YSP-2700 proved itself to be a cutting-edge, class-leading product, and one that should see Yamaha walk off with many more trophies come awards season. Highly recommended!
To find out more about the Yamaha YSP2700, click here.
Author: Chris, Liverpool store
